My Symphony

by William Ellery Channing

To live content with small means,
to seek elegance rather than luxury,
and refinement rather than fashion,
to be worthy, not respectable, and wealthy, not rich,
to study hard, think quietly, talk gently, act frankly,
to listen to stars and birds, babes and sages, with open heart,
to bear all cheerfully, 
do all bravely,
await occasions,
hurry never--
in a word, to let the spiritual, unbidden and unconscious,
grow up through the common.
This is to be my symphony.


This morning I was reading poems aloud from the Julie Andrew's Collection of Poems, Songs, and Lullabies while Raymond explored his bedroom, and I came across this poem. (It is a book my wise mother gave to us for Christmas.  It is a delightful collection for children--perfect for helping Raymond love poems as much as his mama does.)  It exactly describes how I feel about how I want to live. And how I hope, at least in part, I am already living.